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Cardinals FS Antoine Bethea is done for the year with a torn pectoral.

It's unclear if Bethea will require surgery. 33-year-old Bethea enjoyed a nice bounce-back season in the desert, grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 10 overall safety. He's signed for the next two years in Arizona. Although his solid 2017 play should keep him on the 53-man roster, players are a year-to-year proposition at Bethea's age. He will have the inside track to a starting job. Tue, Dec 26, 2017 02:23:00 PM

Cut by San Francisco two days ago, Bethea will slide in as Tony Jefferson's replacement. The 12th-year pro struggled in 2016, but could be rejuvenated by playing for an actual defense. If nothing else, Bethea is a snap hog. Thu, Mar 9, 2017 01:24:00 PM

The writing was on the wall for this one. Once the 49ers indicated slot CB Jimmie Ward would be moved to safety in new DC Robert Saleh's defense, the Niners had a logjam at the position. Bethea, 33 in July, is the odd man out as the team undergoes a rebuild. With Ward likely to take over at free safety, it leaves Eric Reid and Jaquiski Tartt as options at strong safety. Bethea played the most snaps (1,125) of any safety in the league last season. His release saves $5.75 million. Tue, Mar 7, 2017 05:46:00 PM

49ers SS Antoine Bethea (chest) is participating in OTAs.

Bethea is fully healthy after missing the final eight games of 2015. He was having a down year before his injury, but will return as the starter opposite Eric Reid. With Jimmie Ward moving to corner full time, Jaquiski Tartt projects to open the season as San Francisco's No. 3 safety. Fri, Jun 3, 2016 06:58:00 PM

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Cut by San Francisco two days ago, Bethea will slide in as Tony Jefferson's replacement. The 12th-year pro struggled in 2016, but could be rejuvenated by playing for an actual defense. If nothing else, Bethea is a snap hog.

The writing was on the wall for this one. Once the 49ers indicated slot CB Jimmie Ward would be moved to safety in new DC Robert Saleh's defense, the Niners had a logjam at the position. Bethea, 33 in July, is the odd man out as the team undergoes a rebuild. With Ward likely to take over at free safety, it leaves Eric Reid and Jaquiski Tartt as options at strong safety. Bethea played the most snaps (1,125) of any safety in the league last season. His release saves $5.75 million.

Bethea is fully healthy after missing the final eight games of 2015. He was having a down year before his injury, but will return as the starter opposite Eric Reid. With Jimmie Ward moving to corner full time, Jaquiski Tartt projects to open the season as San Francisco's No. 3 safety.

Bethea tore his pec trying to tackle Doug Baldwin in Thursday's game against the Seahawks. Suspended receiver Jerome Simpson was activated in the corresponding move. Now that Bethea is done for the year, Jaquiski Tartt will take over at strong safety. This breaks up Bethea's streak of 119 consecutive games played.

Bethea suffered a mid-week ankle injury and didn't practice Friday. He's a game time decision, but is expected to play against the Eagles. Currently at 99 consecutive starts, Bethea is one of the most durable safeties in the league.

Bethea has been sidelined for a week by the concussion after suffering it in last Sunday's second preseason game against Denver. Craig Dahl will start this afternoon. Bethea's Week 1 status isn't known to be in doubt.

49ers SS Antoine Bethea suffered a concussion in Sunday's second preseason game against the Broncos.

After the injury, fill-in S Craig Dahl was immediately beaten by Julius Thomas for a 17-yard touchdown. Bethea, 30, came to San Francisco on a four-year, $26 million deal this March. He'll have to pass concussion protocols to return.

Bethea will be asked to step in and fill hard-hitting Donte Whitner's shoes. He's definitely capable, but isn't a bone-crushing hitter and is coming off a down year that saw him struggle in coverage. Still, the 29-year-old Bethea is a nice complement to second-year FS Eric Reid. He's an all-around player.

The Sacramento Bee is "hearing" free agent S Antoine Bethea is a "possibility" for the 49ers.

The Niners are trying to replace Donte Whitner. Bethea doesn't pack the punch of "Hitner," but is a savvy veteran who isn't a liability in any particular area. He's be a solid starter and strong mentor for sophomore FS Eric Reid.

Having spent his entire career with Indianapolis, Wells considers Bethea the "backbone of the secondary." Bethea turns 30 before next season, but is still playing at a reasonably high level and the Colts lack a viable in-house replacement. Pro Football Focus gave Bethea a positive 2013 run defense grade, but considered him slightly sub-par in coverage. Bethea is Rotoworld's No. 4 free agent safety, behind Jairus Byrd, T.J. Ward, and Donte Whitner.

The Indianapolis Star reports free agent FS Antoine Bethea has expressed a desire to re-sign with the Colts.

This is our first blurb on Bethea in nearly four years. He's been the model of consistency. Bethea, 29, has produced over 100 tackles in five of the past six seasons and hasn't missed a game since 2007. He just wrapped up a four-year, $27 million contract and graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 53 safety. He and SS LaRon Landry are similar players as in-the-box safeties, so it's fair to wonder if the Colts will opt to go after a centerfield-type free safety.

Bethea will get $18 million over the first two years of the deal. He becomes one of the disgruntled restricted free agents that actually gets the long-term deal he wanted. A two-time Pro Bowler, Bethea is one of the unsung rocks in Indy's defense. Even more will be expected out of him as he enters his prime with this deal.

Colts FS Antoine Bethea and LE Robert Mathis were missing as the team opened mandatory minicamps on Friday.

As previously mentioned, Reggie Wayne is also staying away. All three want new deals. Coach Jim Caldwell doesn't sound overly concerned yet. "There are times that happen during the course of the season where certain guys may not be able to go," he said. "So what we do it adjust and keep moving."

Jermaine Gresham caught 3-of-3 targets for 24 yards before tearing his Achilles' in the Cardinals' Week 17 win over the Seahawks.

It's the worst possible ending to a season that saw Gresham start strong and then fade. Thankfully for the eight-year veteran, he signed a new contract that included $13 million guaranteed last March. He will be back in Arizona but will be highly questionable for Week 1. Gresham turns 30 in June. He has not cleared 400 yards receiving since 2014, his final year in Cincinnati.

They'll go forward with Jared Veldheer at left tackle and John Wetzel on the right side. Humphries has been a bust as the 24th pick in the 2015 draft, struggling with injuries and effectiveness on the rare occasions he has cracked the lineup. Arizona may have to go back to the drawing board at left tackle this offseason. Veldheer has considered retirement in recent years.